Alaves boss unfazed by tricky Real Madrid clash – ‘I like facing the best’ | OneFootball

Alaves head coach Eduardo Coudet has made it clear that he welcomes the challenge of facing football’s elite rather than fearing it, just as he prepares to host Real Madrid. 

With Xabi Alonso’s side travelling to Mendizorroza under scrutiny following recent setbacks, the Alaves coach was careful not to read too much into Madrid’s current situation, instead stressing respect, focus and ambition.

Real Madrid head into this game with questions surrounding form and injuries, but Coudet made it clear that none of that alters the magnitude of the task facing his team. 

For the Alaves manager, the badge alone demands maximum concentration. 

“Anyone who plays for Madrid is very good, and to beat them we will need a great performance,” he said as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

Warning to his players

Coudet appears to be rooted in realism rather than fear. He recognises the depth of quality available to Alonso, regardless of absentees or recent results. 

Real Madrid will face Alaves on Sunday. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Expanding on that thought, he highlighted the level of difficulty his players should expect, adding, 

“They are a top-class opponent, with a lot of quality, the kind that makes games more complicated than usual. I like facing the best.”

Rather than setting his side up reactively, he made it clear that his philosophy does not change based on the opponent, even when that opponent is Real Madrid. 

In fact, he narrowed his focus to the immediate challenge in front of him, explaining: “I’m only focusing on the nearest goal.”

Another factor that could play a role is the venue itself. The clash with Real Madrid will be Alaves’ second consecutive home game, and Coudet believes that Mendizorroza can once again provide an edge. 

He assured that the squad is “much more comfortable” playing in front of their own fans, a detail that even Real Madrid will have to take note of.